Other attacks on media and media organization, BNTV, Al Jazeera Balkans and RTL, Banja Luka, 27.02.2025.

BHJA •︎ 28/02/2025

Other attacks on media and media organization, BNTV, Al Jazeera Balkans and RTL, Banja Luka, 27.02.2025.

Translations: Sarajevo 

  • Case info

  • Personal info

  • Regional center
    Sarajevo
  • Who was attacked?
    Journalist
  • Gender
    Male

  • Media outlet

  • Incident Data

  • Date of incident
    27.02.2025
  • City
    Banja Luka
  • Perpetrator(s)
    Known (suspected)
  • Attacked by
    By public official(s) and/or representative(s) of the executive power
  • Means of incidents and attacks
    In person
  • Type of incident
    Attacks on media outlets and organizations
  • Type of attack
    Other attacks

  • Action by the authorities

  • Police action
    n/a
  • Public prosecutor's action
    n/a
  • Court action
    n/a
  • Legal status of the case
    The procedure is in the phase of gathering information about all the circumstances of the case
  • Type of violation
    Other

  • Action taken by the journalists' association

  • Was journalist's association informed by the journalists directly?
    Unknown

The adviser to the Republika Srpske President, Branislav Okuka, physically and verbally attacked journalists from the media companies BNTV, Al Jazeera Balkans and RTL. The attack happened during Milorad Dodik’s address to the media in the National Assembly of this entity.

Adviser Okuka verbally attacked journalists, pulled their sleeves and got in their faces, hindering them from performing their journalistic tasks. A day later, Councilor Okuka apologized to the media through his profile on the X platform. This courteous reaction in no way lessened the consequences of his scandalous behavior, especially considering that he is a public office holder.

BHJA Steering Committee reacted with a public statement.